Cursed

Right now seemed like the calm before the storm. Everyone was happy for the moment, even Shailey's parents have backed off a little bit after Kieran's mom had Caleb. But a few weeks later, they were back to pestering us.

"Mmm... Finn," Kieran groans next to me as he began to wake up. It was the first time in a long time that I was able to have him over to my house to spend the night. The only reason this was possible was because Shailey's parents were out following a lead about Markus.

The boy at my side squeezed my arm against his bare chest. Did anyone really think that we'd pass up this chance to fool around with one another? We were finally alone and Shailey's parents couldn't stop us and even if my parents had heard us last night, I don't think they would ever say anything. In fact, the moment they started hearing things, I'm sure they went out for a run.

Although, he haven't gone all the way, which is fine with me. I just don't think that the two of us are ready just yet for that. Besides, we don't need to let each know we love the other through physical sensation alone.

However, I brushed my hand through his hair and kissed his cheek and then his eyelids before they opened to look up at me.

"So nice to wake up with you," Kieran groaned before stretching his arms. Then he grabbed my face and gave me a big kiss on the lips. I kissed back for a second before we were jolted out of our romantic bliss by my mom yelling for us. We quickly pulled apart and pulled on shirts and pants before stumbling out into the kitchen.

"Yeah?" I asked as I saw that there was only my parents and Shailey sitting at the table.

"Someone found Markus," My father said.

I looked at Kieran, worry in my eyes and fear in his. This time, though, I wouldn't let Markus get away. I wouldn't let him hurt Kieran.

"You may want to sit down," Shailey said. I took the seat next to Kieran and grabbed his hand under the table, trying to comfort him.

"He... gathered more people," Mom told me. "It's like he's on a crusade. We think he may be trying to... target humans who choose to be with werewolves."

"Sounds like what Shailey's parents are doing... except... well, opposite," Kieran commented a little too bitterly. I didn't blame him though, I was every bit just as exhausted from their excessive hounding.

"This isn't the time Kieran!" Shailey shouted, banging her hands on the table. I knew she was just worried, but... I don't think she should've shouted at the target of choice for my uncle.

"What about Aunt Karla?" I asked, my mind immediately jumping to the only other person I knew that was in an active relationship with a human.

"Oh, God, I hadn't thought of that," my mom cried. "Casey we... we have to go tell her."

"No, we have to confront the problem at the frontline," My dad disagreed.

"So, we go to Karla's home with Dana and Tommy and take them down swiftly," my mom realized what my dad meant. It meant we'd get rid of the problem, that would inexplicably come to my and Kieran's front door.

"Okay, Dana said that they were coming in through that town according to her sources, it turns out that Markus's tracker is somehow dead. They must have overcome him with all the muscle power they had backing him," Dad said. "However, Dana said she was waiting at an ambush spot near Karla and Henry's home."

"Tommy said he was fairly sure that Markus won't see this coming," Dad said. Then he turned to me. "Finn, you need to hide yourself and Kieran in a hotel. Take Shailey with you."

"So, you think a bunch of teenagers stand a chance against a werewolf that can track us like a pro?" I said sarcastically.

"If anyone does come after you, it'll be just Markus, if I remember my brother right. He always took things way too personal," my dad explained. "Besides, I know you and Shailey are quite strong."

After that, my parents had to leave quickly, both of them giving all three of us a kiss on the forehead and a hug goodbye.

As soon as they left, I gathered Shailey and Kieran and took off towards the next town over and into a large hotel. Kieran and Shailey sat on the bed with the window closed and the curtain over it. I paced in front of them, back and forth, back and forth. What were my parents thinking? I can't handle Markus alone or probably even with Shailey. Don't they remember how I was beaten up last time?

Either way, Kieran patted the bedside next to him, urging me to sit down and calm myself next to him.

"I won't let anyone hurt you," I told him for what seemed to be the millionth time that day.

"I know," he cooed, wrapping both arms around me and kissing my neck.

"You don't... regret loving me now do you?" I asked, completely aware that even if his answer was no, I would still continue to protect him, even if it cost me my life.

"Don't you ever say that again! I love you more than anything else, Finn," he said firmly, grabbing my face before kissing me.

"I love you too," I said, holding onto his arms around me as I rested my forehead on his. But my eyes shot open, narrowing as the evil presence overwhelmed the air. I could practically feel the sin creeping up my spine.

Suddenly, there was the shrill sound of glass breaking and before I even had any time to act, Shailey had already pulled Kieran from his spot on the bed and into the bathroom before jamming the door, keeping him safe.

And then I stood face-to-face with Markus. The disgusting, mangled flesh of his skin seemed just the same as the last time I saw him.

It was ironic, really, the way he hated humans who were with werewolves because he wanted a perfect race, in the end, becoming something completely impure himself.

"Where is he!?" The monster bellowed. I just growled as I let myself transform. I'd just hoped Shailey wasn’t useless at fighting. This was her job after all.

I lunged at the intruder and sank my teeth into his shoulder as he tried to shake me, grabbing my face and slamming it against the wall. But then I saw a flash of blue as Shailey appeared under the abomination, her hand sunk inside the werewolf's leg. There was a dreadful snap of bone breaking before her hand was withdrawn.

I pulled back and jumped again, this time angling myself just right at Markus to bite down onto his neck. But then there was that familiar blue light as I saw Shailey's hand reemerge at the front side of Markus's chest. It was then that he stopped moving and I let myself down from where I'd bitten him and backed away as he gasped and fell lifelessly to the floor. And as he fell away, Shailey stood motionless, her hand unmoved from where Markus slid off of it.

Her hand was completely covered in blood and she stood so still I questioned whether she was breathing or not. But then her eyes widened and her hand fell to her side as she took a deep breath of air.

It was only then that I heard Kieran crying out my name from the bathroom. I opened the door easily and before I had time to act, Kieran has tackled me, hugging onto me for dear life.